EARLY indications from the local election count at Stourbridge Town Hall are of a high turnout for Dudley Council elections.

The referendum vote yesterday seems to have boosted voter numbers for the local elections with turnout figures several points above what some candidates expected.

The Tory dominated wards of Norton and Pedmore and Stourbridge East have both produced voter numbers of over 48 per cent.

Candidates are now waiting for the first declarations of winners and losers in the 2011 vote.